{"id":78438,"date":"2025-09-16T16:07:38","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T20:07:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/?p=78438"},"modified":"2026-03-31T18:33:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T22:33:50","slug":"slice-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/slice-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Spotlight: A Slice of Growth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Get to know MSW student Anthony M. (SSW ’29)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Spurred by his interest in psychology and criminology, Anthony M. is pursuing his MSW in macro social work with the mission to work in prison policy reform in DC. Anthony details how his previous experience working at a substance abuse treatment center brought him to apply to BUSSW.\u00a0\u00a0Anthony explains his appreciation for the classroom and student culture at BU, and how curriculum and faculty alike have given him new lenses to approach work within the field.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Could you describe\u00a0your\u00a0background\u00a0to\u00a0me? What are your interests outside of work and school?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I’m\u00a0from Stansbury Park, Utah, but I always consider Southern California\u00a0my\u00a0home. I was born and raised in East LA and then moved to Utah, eventually graduating\u00a0from\u00a0high school in Stansbury Park.\u00a0I’m\u00a0a first-generation\u00a0Mexican-American\u00a0student,\u00a0and\u00a0I’m\u00a0on the macro practice track.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Outside of school, I enjoy cooking, I love horror films, and I have been playing the new Pok\u00e9mon game to relax. I also enjoy going down random YouTube rabbit holes when I need to take a break. I also have a dog named Canelo. I love taking him on walks, or trying to train him, and seeing what tricks I can teach him. Currently, I’m teaching him how to use small buttons with recorded words and phrases so he can communicate. I can see he’s really smart, like he almost has little gears turning in his head. And this has been so easy to do; it’s just a matter of consistency, and he loves those buttons. I’ve had other dogs in the past, but this dog in particular is exceptional. He’s only 11 months old, but he just picks things up quickly. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why\u00a0social\u00a0work?\u00a0What\u00a0drew\u00a0you to the field, and how did you become interested in becoming a social worker?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was a mix of things. I always knew that I wanted to do something along the lines of social work, but I didn\u2019t know exactly what I wanted. I got my undergraduate degree in psychology and criminology. At that time, I thought that would be the best fit. I had no clue what it was, but I saw that a lot of the involved systems were very confusing, and it’s really difficult to ask for that assistance. And even when you do decide to ask for help, getting the help that’s necessary is extremely difficult. I had friends around me who didn’t get that assistance, and they just went down a different path. So, part of me wished I could help out more and do something for them because I care deeply about my friends, but I just didn’t know how to go about that. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With social work,\u00a0I get\u00a0a good understanding of how these systems are navigated. And I want to be sure that\u00a0it’s\u00a0easier for people to ask for help, because growing up,\u00a0I had\u00a0a hard time\u00a0asking\u00a0for\u00a0help\u00a0myself, and\u00a0made mistakes along the way that set me back a bit. But it made me the person I am today, and so I\u00a0wouldn’t\u00a0change anything, but I want to help people in the future avoid having to go down that route.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0What made\u00a0you\u00a0decide to\u00a0join\u00a0the MSW program here at BU?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the time I really wanted to go to Columbia, but the political climate was very tense, and I needed security. BU was the school that offered me the most security out of the schools that I was accepted into, and that made me realize that I would be okay during my time here while I get my master’s. I wanted to go to a school that was well-renowned,\u00a0that people would recognize, and BU\u00a0has\u00a0an outstanding social work program that would turn heads. Ideally, I want to end up in DC, and I know\u00a0working in that area,\u00a0it’s\u00a0important who\u00a0you know, not what you know. But sometimes having a nice name on your resume gets you in\u00a0the door\u00a0and helps with the networking aspect, as well.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I was in DC for six months or so,\u00a0but my first time visiting Boston was the day that I moved here, and I actually drove across the country with my dog and then just kind of took it all in. It was really cool, very different.\u00a0I\u00a0didn’t\u00a0really know anyone out here, but\u00a0I always\u00a0believed\u00a0that you\u00a0must\u00a0get out of your comfort zone and then change\u00a0will come.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What about the program has been surprising and unexpected?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The collaboration; everyone has the same interests. We’re all going through similar struggles that we may not realize. The more I talk to people, the more I realize that many of my fellow students also feel imposter syndrome symptoms and that they don’t belong here. I will say the one thing interesting is how few assignments we have. Most of my classes are just two big assignments, which can be a little stressful because I am so used to having frequent discussions and turning in something every week. And within this program, a lot of it is lectures, then we have assignments that tie in with our internships or we work together in groups.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I don’t know what I was expecting, but most of my classes have 20 students or so. It allows you to get to know your peers, and it actually gets good conversation going. And it’s not the same few people talking every time. It’s easy to stay quiet in a lecture where there\u2019s a hundred people, someone’s got to speak up. But it’s hard not to contribute when there are only 20 folks in the room. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What makes social work worthwhile to you?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I previously did case management at a substance use disorder treatment center. In that setting, there were a lot of bad days, but those bad days\u00a0didn’t\u00a0come close to the good that would come out of that job. Just realizing the impact that you have on someone by helping them get back on their feet and knowing that\u00a0you’re\u00a0making a difference in the world has so much\u00a0value\u00a0to it. I feel like it just leaves people with a path and options.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I was working with people that are at a very low point in their life, but you give; you help them get hope, you help them see that they can still bounce back. One thing I would always tell my clients is, \u201cIt’s only too late if you’re dead. Anything in between, it’s never really too late.\u201d <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from that, on the macro side, I would say improving processes. A lot of people avoid those similar barriers. I like knowing that I’m helping streamline some things in case management settings; that’s a huge win for me. I helped with a lot of the intake process for our prisons in Utah and the jails to get people into these programs. Before, you had to write in and then send an application. It just took so long that it would get to a point where people would just lose interest or fall back into hopelessness, but we were able to pick it up and turn it into a digital process so that it ran smoother. So now, more people have an actual chance to get into it. But I think it’s just in its simplest form; social work is being able to help those around you and build a better sense of community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u00a0are\u00a0your favorite courses,\u00a0professors,\u00a0and events at BUSSW?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I really enjoyed my course with Taylor Hall, she teaches my social welfare policy course, and I’m constantly thinking about these systems and what could be done differently. I love how engaging the course is, and just how she challenges us to think about what we want to do and what we can do differently. It doesn’t feel like just a lecture where we’re being dumped with all this knowledge, but it’s more like a conversation that we have, which is very engaging.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0I’d have to say my favorite course right now is with Darien Williams<\/span>,<\/span> he teaches my communities and organization class. And that class is at eight in the morning, everyone’s a little groggy and tired, but he makes the most of it. Darien shows up with a great attitude. He always tells us that he’s an urban planner, but he’s a phenomenal social worker who really has such a unique approach, and it’s something I’ve never really considered until his course. He’s provided me with a different way to examine social work about getting together and organizing things. Most of the time, I work only with clinicians or people who are social workers by default. When he told us he was an urban planner, I had never considered that with a social work lens before. And when he explained it more to me, I thought it made perfect sense. He does a lot of systems planning with mapping and whatnot, and that’s been a big eye-opener for me, being in this program.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are you most looking forward to in the program,\u00a0and what \ufb01elds are you interested in working in after you graduate?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Working with my practicum has been a cool opportunity that I’m looking forward to doing. And I am also looking forward to a symposium that I’m helping put together. Child welfare is the main thing that we work on, and we have exposure to other factors that fall in line with my passion for prison reform.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prison reform is what I want to do at some point in my career, but\u00a0I’m\u00a0very open\u00a0to exploring different areas of social work.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I’m also excited to go to more events and meet more people right now. I’m so busy with schoolwork, that I feel like I haven’t had much time to really socialize and get to know a lot of my peers. What I have gotten to know is that there’s a lot of cool people in this program. There’s a lot of people that I think to myself: I could be friends with this person. So, I’m really excited to build more connections and just network more with people here. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is your dream job in the \ufb01eld of social work?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If I could, I would do prison work or prison reform on a macro level in DC. I want to shape federal policy and programs so that we have actual programs that are reducing recidivism. Growing up, I was an abolitionist, but I feel that with our current systems in place, it’s kind of hard to remove\u00a0 something and put something new in. We have to work with what we have and change that. I hope one day to be a part of that change and create programs that are more community-based and work towards policy shifts. Because I feel that’s a big variable in a lot of the problems that we see today. If we implement this, we could work towards safer communities, keeping families together, and lowering harm\/crime rates and such.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is your advice for other MSW students?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ask for help. As social workers, we’re used to showing up for everyone else. Sometimes we put ourselves last, and the burnout is very real in this field. Take care of yourself so you can deliver the best quality of help to others.\u00a0\u00a0Don’t be afraid to reach out to people, whether that’s your professor, classmates, campus support, or someone else.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A big part of why I’m in this program is because of the student-success coach and my advisor at the University of Utah. They helped me see that this was a possibility, and something I could actually do. They cheered me on and helped make this happen. I’m forever grateful for the help that they gave me, but it really does take a village to make it where you want to be. So don’t be afraid to ask for help. Our personal problems aren’t as personal as we may think. A lot of people are going through similar things; imposter syndrome, whatever it may be. There’s no better group to ask than those who are working in social work.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn More About Our MSW Program<\/span><\/a><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Anthony M. shares his goal of advancing prison policy reform and his appreciation for the new perspectives BU provided him to approach macro social work. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25047,"featured_media":78439,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[8534,7429],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78438"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25047"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78438"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78438\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79992,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78438\/revisions\/79992"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/78439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}